Weather Forecast

Devils Lake woman charged with felony theft

A Devils Lake woman has been charged in connection with the alleged theft of more than $260,000, according to court records.

Sonya Dawn Dahlen, 65, appeared at a preliminary hearing last week in Northeast District Court in Devils Lake on a charge of theft of property, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

"The defendant, while employed for a company with various businesses, did transfer monies from the business accounts to her own account and her family members accounts, totaling over $260,000," according to the criminal complaint filed by Ramsey County State's Attorney Lonnie Olson.

The alleged thefts occurred between January 2011 and April. Her employer owns hotels in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.

In September, Dahlen had pleaded guilty to writing a check without sufficient funds and was ordered to pay $95 in fees, including restitution of $35.

Dahlen's next scheduled court appearance on the theft charge is Feb. 13.